Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-09
HE SPEAKS.
communication from the President in
ne'aiion TO the Canadian Fi>heues
Question.


WASHINGTON, April s.
Inc President has received communica,
tlon from the American Fisheries Union ot
harsacnusetts, calling attention to the fisher.
les olspute and sugge sting that the retalia .orv
act passe by the late Congress would in
'hei' opinion De sufficiently executed il the
p'"p'seu retaliation was confined to the
closing of the United States markets to Can.
adan fish products. He has mnde the f,llaa
ing answer:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
| WASHINGTON, April 7, 1897.
Geo, Steele, E-q, president of the American
fishlng Union. and others:
Gentlemen Il have received your letter
lately addressed to me and have given finn
cohslueration to the expressions and wishes
theteln contained in relation to the existing
u'Hefences between the government of Great
Britain and the United States growing out of
the refusal To award 20 our citizens engaged
IN nshlng enterprises the privileges to which
they are entitled either under treaty stipIla
| tions or guarantees of international comfy
and neighborly concession. / sincerely ,rust
| the apprehenSions you express OF unjust or
unfriendly treatment of American fishermen
lawfully found in Canadian waters will not
De really So But If such apprehension
should prove TO be well founded earnestly
nope no fault or inconsiderate action of our
ctlzens Will IN the least weaken the Just DO
sltlon of our government or deprive US If
the universal sympathy and support to which
we should be entitled The action of this
administration since June, 1885, when the
fishery articles Of the treaty of 1877 were
terminated under a notification which had
two years before been given by our govern
ment, has been fully disclosed by the CORE
spondence between representative and appro-
pirate departments of the respective govern
ments by which am appraised by your let
ter you are entirely familiar. An examina
ton OF this correspondence has doubtless
satlsned you tina, in no Gaze have the rights
or privileges of the American fishermen
been overlooked or neglected, but that on The
contrary they have been studiously insisted
upon and cared for by every means within
the control of the ,xecutive branch of the
government. The act of Congress approved
March ). 1887, authorizing course of re-
tallaton, through executive action, in event
OF the continuance on the part of the British
American authorities of the unfriendlv
conduct and treaty violations affecting Amer
lean fishermen. has devolved upon the Presi-
dem OF the United States an exceedingly
grave and solemn responsibility, comDre-
to our character and dignity and involving
the extremely valuable commercial inter-
course between the British possessions of
North America and the people of the United
States. | understand the main purpose of
your letter Is to suggest that in case the
course to the5retaliatory measures authorized
by the act should be invited by unjust treat
ment to our fishermen in the future, the oh
ject OF such retail ltion might be fully accom-
piished by 'prohibiting Canadian caught fish
from entry into the ports of the United
States"
The existing controversy is one in which
two nations are concerned. The retaliation
contemplated by the act of Congress is to be
enforced not to protect any particular inter
est, however meritorious or valuable, but to
maintain national honor and thus protect all
our people.
In this view the violation of American
fishery rights and unjust or unfrlendly acts
toward portion of our citizens engaged in
this business is but occasion for action and
constitutes national atfront which gives
birth to or may justify retaliation, This
measure once resorted to its effectiveness and
value may well depend on thOroughness and
the extent of its application, and in the per-
formance of international duties, the enforce
ment of international rights and the pr0toc-
tion of our citizens this government and peo-
pie of the United States must act as unit
all intent upon attaining upon the best re-
suit of retaliation upon the basis of mainten-
ance of the national honor and duty.
A nation seeking by any means to maintain
its honor, dignity and integrity, is engaged in
protecting the rights of its people, and if in
such efforts particular interests are injured
and special advantages forfeited, these things
would rot be patriotically borne fer the pub
lie good. The immense volume of popula-
ton and the manufactures and agricultural
productions and marine tonnage and railways
to which they gives activity is largely the re-
suit of intercourse between the United States
and British America and the natural growth
of full half a century of good neighhorhood
and friendly commune alton from the aggre-
gate of material wealth and incidental rela-
tlons of the most impressive magnitude.
fully appreciate these things and am not
unmindful of the great number of our people
who are concerned in such vast and diversi-
fed interests. In the performance of the Sc
rous duty which Congress has imposed upon
me and in exercise upon just occasion of the
power conferred under the act referred to,
shall deem myself bound to inflict no unnec
essary damage or injury up IN any portion of
our people, but shall nevertheless be un-
flincbngly guided by a sense of what self
respect and dignity of nation demand. In
support of these and in the support of the
honor OF a Government, beneath which every
citizen may repose in safety, no sacrifice Of
personal or private interests shall be consid-
cred as against the general welfare.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.